Jon Gosselin Out of the Equation

TLC announced this morning that their once hit reality TV show, 'Jon and Kate Plus 8,' will be re-structured, re-named, and re-quantified to simply, 'Kate Plus 8.' Said network president Eileen O'Neill in a statement, "Given the recent changes in the family dynamics, it only makes sense for us to refresh and recalibrate the program to keep pace with the family'The family has evolved and we are attempting to evolve with it." Beginning November 2nd, according to the TLC website, the show will 'include a deeper focus on Kate's role in the family and her journey as a single mother building the next chapter in her life. TLC will continue its exclusive relationship with Jon Gosselin and he will continue to appear on the show, but on a less regular basis.'

While the statement may be gently worded, it doesn't take a genius to see the animosity peeking through formality. In short, it seems everyone wants a divorce from Jon. And quite frankly, who wouldn't want a divorce from the dud of a dad and the hindrance of a husband that is Jon Gosselin? Within the last few months, the 32-year-old father of 8 has blamed his soon-to be-ex-wife for isolating him from his parents, publicly condemned the cameras that made him millions, and moved from one twentysomething to the next with barely enough time to make the bed. And the ratings have fallen with him. As Andrea Canning reported on ABC news, 'Nearly ten million viewers tuned in to see the season premiere of Jon and Kate Plus 8. Since June, ratings have dropped 84 percent.'

But the question going forward is, will subtracting Jon from the TV setup add viewers back? Features Editor for TV Guide magazine, Carol Dittbrenner, said on ABC News, 'One of the things that audiences really responded to and related to was the bickering between Jon and Kate. Now that dynamic isn't there. So now it's, you know, it's not that interesting anymore.' Said a woman on The Insider, 'We don't wanna watch 8 kids eat a bowl of cereal!' However, other viewers give hope that viewership will continue. When asked if she would continue watching the show, one ABC interviewee responded 'Yeah, probably. I wasn't a big fan of Jon in the first place.'

The truth is, while there are few fans of Jon Gosselin these days, the absence of the albatross may weigh heavily on the ratings. Jon Gosselin was the neutral but necessary patriarch as we watched Kate navigated pregnancy and parenthood. At the very least, Jon's existence provided the show with parental conversation, pivotal in making it appeal to adults as well as children. And while it may seem odd that anyone will notice the absence of the man who spoke little, breathed heavily, and had as much color as a corpse, it may just be the reality of TV.